dissertation

noun

dis·​ser·​ta·​tion ˌdi-sər-ˈtā-shən How to pronounce dissertation (audio)
: an extended usually written treatment of a subject
specifically : one submitted for a doctorate
wrote her dissertation on an obscure 16th-century poet
dissertational adjective

Examples of dissertation in a Sentence

He wrote his dissertation on an obscure 16th-century poet.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
There are plenty of interviews out there on podcasts and video of many of these tech CEOs and billionaires who are very comfortable today giving political dissertations outside of their work, and that I'm really fascinated by. H. Alan Scott, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 May 2025 The Fact Checker, who isn’t entirely over an ex-girlfriend who cheated on him with her dissertation advisor — another familiar type — is one such young man. Ilana Masad, Los Angeles Times, 14 Apr. 2025 But the exclusion that my work highlights is muted when the seeming novelty of my job appointment or my dissertation album are the focus. A.d. Carson, The Conversation, 7 Apr. 2025 His letters often read like an essay or dissertation, broken down into parts. Samantha Subin, CNBC, 5 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for dissertation

Word History

First Known Use

1651, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of dissertation was in 1651

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Dissertation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dissertation. Accessed 28 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

dissertation

noun
dis·​ser·​ta·​tion ˌdis-ər-ˈtā-shən How to pronounce dissertation (audio)
: a long usually written treatment of a subject

More from Merriam-Webster on dissertation

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!